Lincoln-area worship times and church news

Friday

Climate change activist Margaret Bullitt-Jones: The Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jones, a minister and climate change activist, will lead worship at 10 a.m. Oct. 14 at First Parish in Lincoln, 4 Bedford Road. She will speak on “Rising up with a faith, a Christian response to climate change.” Bullitt-Jonas serves as Missioner for Creation Care in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ. An Episcopal priest, author, retreat leader, and climate activist, she has organized many Christian and interfaith events about care for Earth, and she leads spiritual retreats in the U.S.A. and Canada on spiritual resilience and resistance in the midst of the climate crisis. Her latest book, “Joy of Heaven, To Earth Come Down,” is a collection of daily Advent-Christmas meditations on the sacredness of the natural world. One of the first to engage in civil disobedience to draw attention to climate change, Margaret was arrested in 2001 with 21 other religious activists outside the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. Since then she has participated in other interfaith acts of civil disobedience to stop construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure.

Religious education classes: Registration is open for religious education classes for children in grades K-7 at First Parish in Lincoln. Religious education takes place each Sunday at 10 a.m. in the Parish House at 14 Bedford Road, Lincoln, with the exception of school holidays/vacations. Register online and learn more, including viewing a full schedule, at https://fplincoln.org/education. Registration is ongoing. For information, contact Margit at 781-259-8118, ext. 112, or Margit@FPLincoln.org.

Services: The First Parish in Lincoln is an open and welcoming community church formed in 1942 by the union of the Congregational (1756) and Unitarian (1842) churches in Lincoln. Services are held on Sundays each week at 10 a.m., September through June. Visit its website at http://fplincoln.org.

St. Anne’s in-the-Fields

Blessing of the Animals: On Oct. 7, the 10 a.m. service will include a Blessing of the Animals. The blessing of pets and animals is often celebrated on or near Oct. 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and nature. Live animals on leashes or in carriers are welcome, as are stuffed animals and photos.

Worship service: Sunday worship at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church is a peaceful, spoken Eucharist at 8 a.m. and Holy Eucharist with full choir at 10 a.m. St. Anne’s is located at 147 Concord Road, Lincoln. For more information, visit http://stanneslincoln.org.

Adult Christian education: On Sundays, adult Christian education begins at 9 a.m.; the topic for the coming month is an in-depth study of the Eucharist. Everyone is welcome.

Men and women’s groups: During the week, St. Anne’s hosts a men’s discussion group at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday mornings, and a women’s bible study at 10 a.m. Thursday mornings. These popular gatherings do not require advance reading, so join in anytime.

St. Julia Parish

St. Julia First Friday Adoration change: Starting Friday, Oct. 5, Adoration time will be from noon to 1 p.m. all Fridays, including First Friday. St. Joseph Church Eucharistic Adoration will be held on First Fridays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Faith Formation classes begin: Faith Formation classes begin again on Sunday, Oct. 14. There is a Parent Welcome for grades 1-6 at 10 a.m. and another at 3:45 p.m. for parents of students entering the Confirmation program.

Sunday Mass schedule change: The Sunday Mass schedule has changed. There will no longer be an 11:15 a.m. Mass; it will now be at noon. The change is needed to have one and a half hours between Masses. The new schedule is as follows: 4 p.m. Saturday vigil in Weston; 7:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services in Lincoln; and 9 a.m., noon and 5 p.m. Sunday services in Weston.

Small Groups: Join a small group. Groups meet for six weeks beginning the week of Oct. 1. Interested in finding out more? Fill out a card at the back of the church or visit http://stjulia.org/smallgroups and fill out the short form.

AREA BRIEFS

Trinity Episcopal Church

Blessing of the Animals: Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm St., Concord, invites the public to gather at the outside front porch at Trinity’s main entrance for the annual Blessing of the Animals at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7. Bring your pet (cats in carriers), a photo of your pet (whose size or temperament prevent them from being physically present), or your favorite stuffed animals, and all will receive a blessing. This occasion remembers St. Francis of Assisi who was declared a saint nearly 800 years ago. St. Francis called all creatures his “brothers” and “sisters”. Today many churches honor St. Francis with a day when they share their love and appreciation for all God’s creatures, great and small. For more information, call 978/369-3715 or visit http://trinityconcord.org.

Memorial Congregational Church

Rummage sale: Memorial Congregational Church is holding its semi-annual rummage sale of gently used clothing, shoes, accessories and linens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 12 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 13. There will be clothing for children and youth as well as the full range of adult clothing, including suits. Shop the bargains and check out the high-end rack. Contributions of used clothing can be dropped off in Ames Hall at the church starting on Monday, Oct. 7. Memorial Church is located at 26 Concord Road, Sudbury. For information, call 978-443-3885.

St. John

Senior luncheon and Seniorcise: Lunch is held the second Tuesday of the month from noon to 2 p.m. A hot meal is catered by Flo’s Catering and desserts are prepared by the larger church community. A suggested donation of $6 is asked. The afternoon starts with a welcome from the Rev. Donald Larsen, followed by a reflection. After lunch there is entertainment, most often music. To sign up for the next luncheon, call the church office at 978-443-8350. Seniorcise is a free low impact exercise program focusing on balance, toning and stretching. This group meets Monday and Wednesday 10-11 a.m. For more information, contact Karen LaCure at 978-443-8350 or just come to a class. St. John is located at 16 Great Road, Sudbury.

ONGOING

First Baptist, Weston

Adult classes: The First Baptist Church of Weston, 657 Boston Post Road, Weston, will hold adult Sunday School class at 9 a.m. Sundays. Sunday service at Weston United Methodist Church starts at 9:30 a.m. during the summer. Additional Bible study and prayer is held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, with choir practice at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. For information: 781-894-5243, fbweston.org.

Sunday worship: First Parish of Sudbury Unitarian Universalist hosts a 10 a.m. worship Sundays at 327 Concord Road, Sudbury. Worship will be followed by a fellowship hour in the parish hall. Guests may also attend AfterThoughts, a sermon discussion, after worship. Children six months to 4 years may play in the nursery. Children ages 4 to 6 are invited to the Spirit Play class, children still in grade school may join the Sing to the Power class and grades seven and eight may join the Breakfast Club. The high school youth group will meet at noon, after social hour. For information: 978-443-2043, fpsudbury.org.

Memorial Congregational Church

Wednesday worship: Memorial Congregational Church’s Wednesday evening worship service, The Well, begins at 7 p.m. in the parlor of the church, 26 Concord Road, Sudbury. The congregation will gather around a table to pray, discuss current issues through the Bible and conclude with shared communion. For information: mccsudbury.org, 978-443-3885.

Sunday worship: Memorial Congregational Church’s Sunday worship service begins at 10 a.m. at 26 Concord Road, Sudbury. Youth from pre-K to eighth grade stay with their family in worship for the first 15 minutes and are invited to leave worship after the children’s moment to go to Discovery Kingdom, where they use theater, art, cooking, games and more to further their understanding of the Bible. Childcare for infants and toddlers is provided every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. until the end of the service. For information: mccsudbury.org, 978-443-3885.

Our Lady of Fatima

Baptisms: All parents who are planning to have a child baptized should attend a Baptismal Preparation which are held at 10 a.m., the first Saturday of every month at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 160 Concord Road in Sudbury. Godparents are welcome to attend. Call 978-443-2647 to register.

First Saturday devotions: All are welcome to a special devotion to Our Lady of Fatima on the first Saturday of every month at 4:20 p.m., for a Rosary, confession, meditation and Communion either at the 5 p.m. Mass or at Sunday Mass. The purpose of these devotions is to follow Our Lady of Fatima’s request that on every First Saturday the church offers reparation to her Immaculate Heart. Our Lady of Fatima Church is at 160 Concord Road in Sudbury. Call 978-443-2627.

St. John Lutheran Church

Guests may join parish nurse Karen LaCure: At 10 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays for an hour-long exercise class geared for seniors. While not limited to seniors, Adult Bible Study is held at 10 a.m. Thursday mornings and is led by the Rev. Donald Larsen. For information: 978-443-8350, stjohnsudbury.org.

Sunday worship: St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church’s regular worship schedule is at 8:45 and 11:15 a.m. Sundays at 16 Great Road, Sudbury. An education hour is held for all ages at 9:55 a.m. St. John is universally accessible and has a staffed nursery at its 8:45 a.m. service. For information: 978-443-8350, stjohnsudbury.org.

Sudbury United Methodist Church

Coffee and conversation: A group from Sudbury United Methodist Church meets for coffee and discussion of the coming Sunday’s scriptures from 10 a.m. to noon Thursdays at Panera Bread, 21 Andrew Ave., Wayland. Newcomers are welcome.

Stephen Ministry: The Sudbury United Methodist Church has had a Stephen Ministry program since 1992 and has trained more than 50 lay people to be Christian caregivers to those in the congregation who have had concerns and needed a listening, nonjudgmental presence as they struggled with life’s changes. Presently, the church has 15 Stephen Ministers. The Stephen Ministry relationship is available to all community members. Call Pastor Joel Guillemette at 978-443-4351.

Weston United Methodist Church

Worship: Weston United Methodist Church is located at 377 North Ave. The church congregation is drawn from Weston and the surrounding towns of Lincoln, Waltham, Wayland and Sudbury as well as a number of other towns in the region. Worship services are at 10:30 each Sunday, with monthly Sunday afternoon Healing Services.

Children’s Sunday School and nursery care is offered every Sunday, with “A Time for Children” included during the first part of the service, after which time the children are escorted to class. Music is an integral part of worship. Special music during each worship service is provided by the Chancel Choir, made up of both professional and volunteer singers. Visitors are welcomed at the door, and have the opportunity to meet the pastor.

There are many small group opportunities that encourage participation in the life of the church, including Bible study, serving a monthly meal at Bristol Lodge a soup kitchen in Waltham as well as a Prayer Shawl Ministry. For information: 781-893-9595, westonunitedmehtodist@gmail.com, westonunitedmethodist.org.